We Came To America By Faith Ringgold Published by Random House Children’s Books Age Range: 5+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “…teaches valuable lessons and boldly addresses sensitive topics like voluntary and involuntary immigration.” —Children’s Literature Description From the Native Americans who first called this land their home, to the millions of people who have flocked to its shores ever since, America is a country rich in diversity. Some of our ancestors were driven by dreams and hope. Others came in chains, or were escaping...

Their Great Gift By John Coy Photography by Wing Young Huie Published by Lerner Publishing Group Age Range: 8+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “A heartfelt reminder of a significant American ideal.” —Kirkus Reviews Description Simple text and thought-provoking photographs offer an utterly distinctive look at immigration to the United States through the eyes of children from many different backgrounds. Reviews & Accolades “Coy (Hoop Genius) and photographer Huie (Looking for Asian America), in his first book for children, deliver a visual...

The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a Changing India, and a Hidden World of Art By Barb Rosenstock Illustrated by Claire A. Nivola Published by Candlewick Press Age Range: 7+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “Rosenstock’s gratifying story conveys how art has the capacity to revitalize and restore.” —Publishers Weekly Description After the partition of India in 1947, Nek Chand Saini settled in the city of Chandigarh, with nothing but stories brought from his homeland. Dismayed at his stark new surroundings, Nek began collecting river rocks, broken glass, and...

The Best We Could Do By Thi Bui Published by ABRAMS Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “Hand this essential volume to teens who appreciate David Small’s Stitches and Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis.” —School Library Journal Description This beautifully illustrated and emotional story is an evocative memoir about the search for a better future and a longing for the past. Exploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family, Bui documents the story of her family’s daring escape after the fall of...

Following is the keynote address by author Maria Testa for the Citizenship Ceremony held at Portland Public Library, Portland, ME on March 10, 2016 It is an extraordinary honor to welcome new Americans to our country. What we are witnessing today is, in fact, a tremendous gift to our country. You have honored all of us by choosing to become Americans. Those of you who are familiar with my work as a writer know that I have been exploring the ideal of America – and the question of who is an American – for quite some time. In my explorations, I have sometimes looked to my own family, my own...

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors By Hena Khan Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini Published by Chronicle Books “A sophisticated color-concept book featuring a contemporary family introduces Islam to young Muslims and children who don’t practice this faith” –Kirkus Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Magnificently capturing the colorful world of Islam for the youngest readers, this breathtaking and informative picture book celebrates Islam’s beauty and traditions. From a red prayer rug to a blue hijab, everyday colors...

Big Red Lollipop By Rukhsana Khan Illustrated by Sophie Blackall Published by Viking’s Children’s Books “Khan delivers another astute and moving story, ostensibly dealing with sibling rivalry, but actually about hard-won lessons emerging from clashes of identity and assimilation.” –Publisher’s Weekly Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can’t convince Ami that you just...

When Christmas Feels Like Home By Gretchen Griffith Illustrated by Carolina Farias Published by Albert Whitman and Co. Available September 1, 2013 Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description After moving from a small village in Mexico to a town in the United States, Eduardo is sure it will never feel quite like home. The other children don’t speak his language and they do not play fútbol. His family promises him that he will feel right at home by the time Christmas comes along, when “your words float like clouds from your mouth” and...

The Garden of my Imaan By Farhana Zia Published by Peachtree Publishers “People of all religions and other minority groups will appreciate and relate to Aliya’s experiences and hopefully seek to improve themselves.” –Children’s Literature “…Zia’s gentle message–that Muslims come from many cultures whose observances differ, while the long shadow of 9/11 hovers over all–is timely and beautifully conveyed.” –Kirkus Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Aliya already struggles with trying to fit in, feeling...

What a Party! By Ana Maria Machado Illustrated by Hélène Moreau Published by Groundwood Books “An effervescent celebration of the best possibilities of urban multiculturalism. Readers will want to move right in.” –Kirkus Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description If it is just a few days until your birthday, and your mother says you can invite anyone you like to come over to play, be careful! If you don’t watch out, you might soon be having the craziest party ever. Before you know it, night could come and go and a new day could begin,...

Crouching Tiger By Ying Chang Compestine Illustrated by Yan Nascimbene Published by Candlewick Press “Discipline and warmth bring a child and his Chinese grandfather closer together…Compestine creates a simple portrait of a familiar cultural bridge” –Kirkus Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Vinson is very excited when his grandfather comes from China for a visit. When Grandpa practices tai chi in the garden, Vinson asks to learn, hoping it will be like kung fu, full of kicks and punches. But tai chi’s meditative postures are slow and...

My Friend Mei Jing By Anna McQuinn Illustrated by Ben Frey Photography by Irvin Cheung Published by Annick Press “…A book that will get all children seeing how they are more alike than they are different, this book should have a place on most school and public library shelves.” — Tasha Saecker, Waking Brain Cells Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Different cultures. Best friends. Ever since Mei Jing came to Monifa’s school they’ve been best friends. They’re both artistic and like to create wild designs together. They love to play at...

First Crossing: Stories About Teen Immigrants Edited by Donald R. Gallo Published by Candlewick Press “Newly transplanted teens will find the voices represented in this collection far more relevant than those echoing forth from the huddled masses of Ellis Island, and American-born readers will gain insight from the palpable depictions of what it’s like to be thrust into ‘the middle of a game where [you] don’t know the players, the rules, or even the object.'” —Jennifer Mattson, Booklist Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N ...

Wachale! Poetry and Prose about Growing Up Latino Edited by Ilan Stavans Published by Cricket Books/Marcato “For those who have grown up speaking English and Spanish, occasionally blending the two languages into the colorful hybrid commonly referred to as Spanglish, this book will stir deeply rooted memories. For non-Hispanics with an interest in Latino culture, it opens a window onto a people whose zest for life, contagious humor, and vigorous spirit contribute a rich flavor to America’s vast multicultural society.” —VOYA Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N ...

The Best Eid Ever By Asma Mobin-Uddin Illustrated by Laura Jacobsen Published by Boyds Mills Publisher “This beautifully composed story straddles two worlds-America and Islamic Indo-Pakistani culture…This is a welcome contribution, giving much-needed visibility to a celebration observed by over ten million people in North America.” –School Library Journal Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description It’s Eid, and Aneesa should be happy. But her parents are thousands of miles away for the Hajj pilgrimage. To cheer her up, her grandmother gives her a...

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story By Hena Khan Illustrated by Julie Paschkiss Published by Chronicle “Sweet and visually striking, this is a good choice both for children who celebrate these holidays and for others seeking a bridge to their culture.” –Publishers Weekly “Khan deftly weaves information about the culinary and cultural traditions of Ramadan and Eid with the little girl’s love of her family and growing understanding of her role in the outside world.” –Kirkus Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Yasmeen, a...

Nadia’s Hands By Karen English Illustrated by Jonathan Weiner Published by Boyds Mills Press “…an interesting premise – one that rings true for many children of immigrant communities, seeking to find a place and identity…” –Children’s Literature Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Saturday is Auntie Laila’s wedding day and Nadia has been chosen as flower girl. The morning of the ceremony, Auntie Amina prepares Nadia’s hands in the traditional way. Using henna, a natural dye, she creates intricate designs,...

Moon Watchers: Shirin’s Ramadan Miracle By Reza Jalali Illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien Published by Tilbury House “Non-Muslim readers will walk away with a more developed global perspective, [and] Muslims will relate the tale to their own Ramadan experiences” —ForeWord Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Looking through the tall trees in their backyard in Maine, Shirin and her dad search for a glimpse of the new moon, the sign that the month of Ramadan has begun. Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world pray, fast, and pay...

A Path of Stars By Anne Sibley O’Brien Illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien Published by Charlesbridge “It’s a warm, nurturing story of one family’s experience – but it will ring true with readers who are immigrants from other countries.” –Bobbie Combs, Montgomery News Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description An affecting story of family, loss, and memory Dara loves the stories her grandmother, Lok Yeay, tells of the Cambodian countryside where she grew up—stories of family, food, and the stars above, glowing in the warm, sweet...

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? By Kate Aver Avraham Illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien Published by Charlesbridge Publishers “Of particular interest to Korean American families, this festive story also introduces a different cultural birthday tradition to non-Koreans.” —Booklist “What Will You Be Sara Mee? gives readers a beautiful glimpse into Korean culture.” —Teaching Tolerence Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Will she be an artist? A cook? A writer? Sara Mee is turning one, and her family and friends gather for her tol, or...